Crowland

An ancient fenland town situated near the southern-most
border of Lincolnshire. The name Crowland or Croyland,
means soft land. During the 13th century the area
was just a muddy swamp, until fenland drainage lowered
the water table.

The town has a variety of Georgian, timber-framed
and thatched cottages. There are also some interesting
archaeological and historical sights, the most famous
of which is the ruined abbey. The abbey was part of
Benedictine monastery, built in AD 716 by King
Ethelbald of Mercia, to honour the memory of St Guthlac.
Most of the monastic buildings were lost during the
Dissolution and the English Civil War. Apart from the
north aisle, which is now used as the parish church.
A squat tower and ruined Norman arch still remain supporting
a superb west front, with five tiers of statues, representing
the saints and apostles. The Abbey was destroyed and
rebuilt several times, until finally decimated by Cromwell's
troops it in 1643. Hereward the Wake is believed to
be buried here.

The Abbey Church holds a popular Flower Festival
every August Bank Holiday.

An extraordinary three-way bridge sits in the centre
of the town, built in the 14th-c over the confluence
of two streams, which have long since dried up due
to fenland drainage. A weathered stone figure on one
of the bridge parapets is thought to represent either
Christ or King Ethelbald.

The local area, especially along the River Welland,
is good for walking, fishing and picnics. A heritage
town walk and a Millennium Trail map are available,
for further information contact the village library
in Hall Street, PE6 0EW (Tel: 01522 782010). If you
are visiting by car there is free parking in West Street,
outside the Coop and Tearoom.